On December 18, 2022, Argentina defeated France in a penalty shootout to seize the FIFA World Cup title. Lionel Messi was the inspirational chief of that historic crew, however one in every of his fellow champions later confronted a significant setback after being handed a doping ban, which has now formally come to an finish.
Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez appeared in two matches throughout Argentina’s 2022 World Cup marketing campaign. He began within the group stage opener in opposition to Saudi Arabia — a surprising 2–1 defeat — and once more within the spherical of 16 in opposition to Australia, a 2–1 win for the South People.
That match turned out to be Gomez’s final look for Argentina. He didn’t characteristic within the quarterfinals, semifinals, or ultimate, and was surprisingly neglected of head coach Lionel Scaloni’s call-ups for the celebratory friendlies performed in Argentina in March 2023.
Hypothesis about his absence took an surprising flip in mid-2023, when Gomez was discovered responsible of utilizing a banned substance in 2022, throughout his time with Sevilla. The Argentine midfielder obtained a two-year suspension and managed to play simply two matches for Monza in Serie A earlier than the ban took impact.
Alejandro Gomez of Argentina walks previous the The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy.
The return of Papu Gomez
On October 20, the two-year suspension for Alejandro Gomez formally expired, permitting him to return to skilled soccer. Now 37 years previous, he’s far faraway from the elite degree that noticed him shine on the World Cup and play key roles for prime golf equipment in La Liga and Serie A.
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His comeback, nevertheless, will happen at a extra modest European membership: Calcio Padova. The Italian aspect competes in Serie B, Italy’s second division, and presently sit eleventh within the standings with three wins, two attracts, and three losses by eight matches.
Calcio Padova performed their final recreation on Sunday, October 19 — the ultimate day of Gomez’s suspension. Their subsequent match might be Sunday, October 26, at residence in opposition to Juve Stabia, and Papu Gomez is anticipated to be a part of the squad. His debut is prone to generate main pleasure for the membership, given the uncommon presence of a reigning World Cup champion in Serie B.
Papu Gomez’s file with Argentina
Few gamers in historical past can match the honors Alejandro Gomez achieved with Argentina. He’s a two-time world champion, a Copa America winner, and a Finalissima champion. His first title got here on the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada, the place he performed alongside future stars like Angel Di Maria, Sergio Aguero, and Ever Banega.
Nonetheless, it could take a few years for Gomez to earn a spot with the senior nationwide crew. As a artistic midfielder or winger, he confronted fierce competitors for enjoying time, typically overshadowed by superstars like Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria.
Gomez made his senior debut for Argentina in 2017 on the age of 29 however solely grew to become an everyday beneath Lionel Scaloni beginning in 2020. From that time ahead, he was closely concerned within the run-up to the 2022 World Cup and secured his roster spot after Giovani Lo Celso was dominated out because of harm.
In whole, Gomez made 17 appearances for Argentina between 2017 and 2022, scoring three objectives and offering 4 assists. He received the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima in opposition to Italy, and, after all, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
